non-progressive verbs

1 Some verbs are never used in progressive forms.

• I like this music. (NOT I'm liking this music.)

Other verbs are not used in progressive forms when they have certain meanings.

• I see what you mean. (NOT I'm seeing what you mean.)


• I'm seeing the doctor at ten o 'clock.

Many of these 'non-progressive' verbs refer to mental activities (for example know, think, believe).
Some others refer to the senses (for example smell, taste).

2 The most important 'non-progressive' verbs are:

• like
  


• dislike
  


• love
  


• hate
  


• prefer
  


• want
  


• wish
  


• surprise
  


• impress
  


• please


• believe
  


• feel


• imagine
  


• know
  


• mean
  


• realize
  


• recognize
  


• remember
  


• suppose
  


• think


• understand


• hear
  


• see


• smell


• sound
  


• taste


• weigh ( = 'have weight')


• belong to
  


• contain
  


• depend on
  


• include
  


• matter
  


• need
  


• owe
  


• own
  


• possess


• appear
  


• seem
  


• be

We often use can with see, hear, feel, taste and smell to give a 'progressive' meaning.